Baler with end pad insertion

Abstract

A continuous extrusion type reciprocating baling apparatus includes an end pad insertion mechanism which permits end pads to be automatically inserted into the baling chamber at each end of the bale. The end pad insertion mechanism works in conjunction with a bale tying apparatus so that end pads can be provided on each end of automatically tied bales. The end pad insertion mechanism is located above the baling chamber so that end pads are inserted downwardly into the baling chamber, to permit the typing apparatus to be provided on each side of the baler. The end pad insertion mechanism includes an enclosure for containing a supply of end pads and a plate to push the end pads downwardly through a slot provided in the baling chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A baling apparatus for baling material and for inserting end pads one at each end of each bale and for inserting tying wires around the baled material and around the end pads, comprising: a longitudinally horizontally extending frame including a horizontal floor,   a horizontal upper side extending generally parallel to the floor and thereabove, and   fixed vertical enclosing sides extending perpendicularly from the floor to the upper side to form a baling chamber therewithin, the baling chamber having a forward end and a rearward end, a discharge chute being formed at the forward end of the baling chamber, the enclosing sides have openings for the insertion of the tying wires across the discharge chute,   the upper side having a feed opening in the upper side at the baling chamber through which the material to be baled is delivered into the baling chamber,   the upper side also having a slot, the slot being at a location which is rearward of the openings in the enclosing sides and which is forward of the feed opening; 170   a baling head longitudinally reciprocal within the baling chamber between a retracted position near the rearward end of the baling chamber and an advanced position near the forward end of the baling chamber;   means for reciprocating the baling head within the baling chamber between the retracted position and the advanced position;   means for inserting wires through the slots across the discharge chute; and   means adjacent to the baling chamber for inserting an end pad downwardly through the slot into the baling chamber after the tying wires have been inserted across the discharge chute by the inserting means.     
     
     
       2. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the inserting means includes a vertically movable plate for pushing the pad through the slot. 
     
     
       3. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the inserting means includes means for moving the plate downwardly to push the pad through the slot. 
     
     
       4. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the inserting means includes means for moving the plate upwardly to a maximum height, and wherein the plate moving means includes a lever arm operatively connected to the plate and a fluid cylinder for moving the lever arm, the fluid cylinder being mounted below the maximum height of the plate. 
     
     
       5. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the inserting means includes an enclosure for holding a plurality of end pads in a vertical position. 
     
     
       6. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the inserting means includes means for moving end pads within the enclosure to a position adjacent to the slot. 
     
     
       7. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the inserting means includes means for holding one of the end pads flat against a portion of the enclosure to assist in inserting the end pads into the slot. 
     
     
       8. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the holding means includes means for drawing a partial vacuum against one side of the end pads. 
     
     
       9. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the enclosure includes means for holding a plurality of end pads that are essentially flat on each side. 
     
     
       10. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the advanced position of the baling head is forward of the location of the slot, and the baling head is movable to a position rearward of the location of the slot to permit an end pad to be inserted adjacent to the baling head. 
     
     
       11. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the baling head is positionable adjacent to the openings in the enclosing sides when the tying wires are inserted. 
     
     
       12. A baling apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the baling head has a plurality of transverse openings conforming to the openings enclosing sides through which the tying wires are inserted. 
     
     
       13. A baling apparatus for baling material and for inserting end pads one at each end of each bale and for inserting tying wires around the bale material and the end pads, comprising: a longitudinally horizontally extending frame including a horizontal floor,   a horizontal upper side extending generally parallel to the floor and thereabove, and   fixed vertical enclosing sides extending perpendicularly from the floor to the upper side to form a baling chamber therewithin, the baling chamber having a forward end and rearward end, a discharge chute being formed at the forward end of the baling chamber, the enclosing sides having openings for the insertion of the tying wires across the discharge chute,   the upper side having feed opening in the upper side at the baling chamber through which the material to be baled is delivered into the baling chamber,   the upper side also having a slot through which an end pad may be inserted, the slot being at a location which is rearward of the openings in the enclosing sides and which is forward of the feed opening;     a baling head longitudinally reciprocal within the baling chamber between a retracted position near the rearward end of the baling chamber and an advanced position near the forward end of the baling chamber, the advanced position of the baling head being forward of the location of the slot, the baling head being movable to a position rearward of the location of the slot to permit an end pad to be inserted adjacent to the baling head;   means for reciprocating the baling head within the baling chamber between the retracted position and the advanced position;   means for inserting wires through the slots across the discharge chute; and   means adjacent to the baling chamber for inserting an end pad downwardly through the slot into the baling chamber after the tying wires have been inserted across the discharge chute by the inserting means, including   an enclosure for holding a plurality of end pads in a vertical position,   means for moving end pads within the enclosure to a position adjacent to the slot,   a vertically movable plate for pushing the pad ajacent to the slot through the slot, and   means for moving the plate downwardly to push the pad through the slot and for moving the plate upwardly to a maximum height, the plate moving means having a lever arm operatively connected to the plate and a fluid cylinder for moving the lever arm, the fluid cylinder being mounted below the maximum height of the plate.